Apparatus for reforming hydrocarbon compounds



Jufly 11935 D. W. HOGE APPARATUS FOR REFORMING HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS Filed Oct. 17, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR I Daniel W, Huge. BY W ATTORNEY Jufly 9, W3, D W, HOSE ZMQZSEZ APPARATUS FOR REFORMING HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS Filed Oct. l7, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 m4 f I: 75 50E m4 81m 74' F 5; 4:154 42K i7 8753 sa e/ INVENTOR Dam'e/W/wage ATTORNEY Patented July 9, 1935 APPARATUS FOR EEFUIBMENG HYDE-QUAR- BON COMPDUNDS Daniei W. Hoge, Wilmington, Calif assignor to @harles ll. Ritter, Long Beach, @alii.

Application @ctober 1933, Serial No. 693,944

6 Claims. (CL 196-41)) This invention relates to an apparatus for reforming hydrocarbon compounds and more particularly to apparatus for treating oils and their vapors to transform high boiling point compounds into lower boiling point compounds and increase the octane rating of the resulting product.

An object of this invention is to provide a heat zone the treatment of hydrocarbon vapors wherein the conduit pipe through which the vapors travel is in itself a catalyst, and having an enclosing heat. absorbing means to keep the pipe from direct contact with the raw heat and which will diffuse the heat received to the pipes evenly and prevent any localized over-heating and the consequent depositing of carbon within the pipes.

An object of this invention is to provide a molten metal bath for a length of conduit pipe in a heat zone which will have the maximum efficiency of heat absorption and diffusion and which will properly function with a minimum of such molten metal. H I

An object of invention is to provide an apparatus for distilling, treating and condensing hydrocarbons which will maintain predetermined temperatures inall heat zones, which will move the hydrocarbon vapors at .a constant predetermined velocity, and which will automatically maintain a constant predetermined pressure of the vapors during their travel through the .ap-'

30 paratus.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which will treat hydrocarbon vapors to produce in the resultant product .an increased octane rating .of from .25 to 5.8% above the octane 3 in the untreated oils, and which the temperatures, pressure and duration of the heat treatment of the vapors are most conducive .to the formation ofoctane without materially affecting such octane .as maybe present in the untreated oils.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which is simple or operation and durable in construction, in which the replacement of parts is at a minimum, and which will absorb the greatest percentage of heat from the fuel consumed.

With the above and other objects which may hereinafter appear in view the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association and interrelation of parts, embers and features, all as shown in a certain embodiment in the accompanying drawings, described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawin s:

Fig. l is a general View of a cracking apparatus incorporating my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view or the retort pipes and lead bath, sectioned in different planes to disclose the construction, taken on lines 2-2 Fig. 4, v5 and showing in broken lines the position in which a second lead bath box may be placed in the same furnace;

Fig. 3 is a section alv-iew of the retort and furnace showing the arrangement ,of the furnace, Evith the pipes and lead bath enclosure in elevaion;

Fig. 4 is a plan View or the pipes .and lead bath enclosure partly broken away to disclose parts otherwise hidden;

Fig. 5 is a iragmental sectional view of one side of the furnace and pipes showing the means of access to the pipes for cleaning. a

It is a known fact in the art that hydrocarbon compounds break down in the presence of heat more rapidly and completely when confined in a comparatively restricted area such as tubes or pipes, and that temperatures, pressure, velocity and volume are critical-under these conditions, and that different combinations of these mechanical conditions tend to produce .a wide variation in the reactions of the hydrocarbon combinations and the resultant product.

I have therefore provided an apparatus wherein the several mechanical conditions are given first consideration in order .to produce a resultant product which will manifest predetermined characteristics consistent with the auntreated oils from which the product was derived.

I have provided an apparatus wherein the mechanical conditions are so disposed that the treatment of hydrocarbon vapor-s during the operation of the apparatus will be maintained oonsistent to produce a product having -.consis-tent predetermined composition during the supply of a standard grade of derivative oil, and wherein the resultant product will be affected under normal operating conditions only by the quality or" the derivative oil. 4

.I have provided an apparatus including a vapor conducting conduit passing through a heat zone comprising a plpe of carbon steel providing thereby a catalyst in the path ,Of the vapors, said pipe providing a tortuous path tor the'enclosed vapors ensuring the contact of every molecule or the vapors with the interior surface of the pipe during their passage therethreugh.

I have :f-urther provided, that the portions of the pipe that are with-in the heat zone reside within a molten metal bath, preferably lead, that the pipe be protected from direct contact with the heat which otherwise may tend to result in local overheating.

As the thermo-chemical reactions therein of the hydrocarbon compounds are cumulative I have provided a conduit of sufficient length that the elapsed time of the vapor travel through the conduit will be sufficient for the complete reaction and for the complete reforming of the hydrocarbon compounds of the vapors being treated.

I have provided a furnace that will present heat to the lead bath in the most efiicient and comprehensive manner, and initial heatings will ensure the upper portions of the lead be heated first and thus provide for the proper expansion, while the lead bath container is constructed with the object in view of presenting to the heat an absorbing surface whereby the lead may be: evenly heated, and in which the interior is so constructed that there will be an approximate evenness of thickness of the lead bath surrounding each section of the pipe and wherein the bath is of a minimum amount and so disposed as to comprise one unit bath while covering the several sections of pipe.

Referring to the drawing Fig. 1 discloses a still I0, a preheater H, the retort 12, a dephlegmator l3, a condenser l4 and a receiving tank I5.

The still It] comprises a supporting body it containing a furnace and having furnace doors H, a fuel inlet pipe l8 and a fuel control valve l9 having a thermostatic control device 23 operated from a thermostat 2! in the still boiler 22.

The still boiler 22 has an inlet pipe 23 with a control valve 24 to supply a controlled supply of oil to be treated from a source not shown. It is further provided with a temperature gauge 25, a flue 26 and a vapor outlet pipe 21, by means of which it is shown connected to the preheater l l.

The preheater l I comprises a supporting body 28 having a furnace door 29 and a fuel inlet pipe 30 having a control valve 3| thereon which is adapted to be operated by a device 32 which is controlled by a thermostatic element 33 within the boiler 34.

The preheater boiler 34 is provided with a pressure gauge 35 and a heat indicating gauge 36 and an outlet pipe 31; a flue 38 is provided for the furnace in the supporting body 28.

The outlet pipe 31 connects with the inlet connection 39 of the retort pipes 40, and the outlet 4| from the retort pipes 48 is connected by means of pipe 42 to the dephlegmator l3, which by means of the pipe 43 is connected to the condenser l4, which in turn is connected by means of pipe 44 to the receiving tank I5, which is provided with an outlet 45 having a control valve 46.

The condenser l4 has a water circulating inlet pipe 41 having a valve 48 and a water outlet pipe 49. The receiving tank I5 is provided with a liquid gauge 50.

The retort I2 discloses in front elevation in Fig. 1, the supporting structure 5i which encloses a furnace 52 disclosed in Fig. 3 which includes the fire-box 53 which extends from the front backwardly and upwardly to form the vertical passage 54 through which the heat passes to the horizontal chamber 55 above the retort pipes 43 and thence forwardly to a downwardly extending passage 56 through which the heat passes to the horizontal chamber 51 below the retort pipes 40 and which extends backwardly to a wall 58 forming a partition between the chamber 51 and the recited vertical passage 54.

The chamber 51 is connected to the flue 59 by means of passages 60 which connect at either side of the chamber 51 adjacent to the partition 58 through openings 6|, which passages 60 converge to form the flue 59.

The path of the heat through these several chambers is indicated by the arrows 62. The heat is originated at the burners 63 shown in firebox 52 and supplied by a fuel intake 64 controlled by a valve 65 automatically operated by a device 65 thermostatically controlled from the temperature of the lead surrounding the pipes 40.

The retort I2 is provided with a base 61, walls 58, and a roof section 59. Each of these Walls and the roof are provided with insulation in the form of a dead air space formed within the channels 75. The several recited chambers are formed by the horizontal section II which forms the top closure for the fire-box 52, and the lower closure member for the chamber 57; the horizontal baflle '12 below the pipes 40 and a similar baflie 13 above the pipes 48, which forms the lower closure membar for the chamber 55.

Figs. 2 and 4 disclose the arrangement of the pipes 40 and the means for providing the lead bath. The lead bath is held by the metallic enclosure or box 14, which is enclosed on all sides and is provided with vents 15. The pipes 40 extend across the retort l2 and through partition walls 16 which separate the furnace from the recesses 11, which recesses 11 are provided to permit access to the ends of the pipes 40 for cleaning purposes; as shown in Fig. 5 these recesses are open to the outside, and are closed by doors 18 which are provided with insulation 19 in the form of asbestos slabs.

To maintain the ends of the pipes 40 heated I have provided the upper ports and the lower ports 8| connecting the recess 17 with the chambers 55 and 57. The draft of the furnace carries suflicient heat therethrough to maintain the ends of the pipes 40 at the proper temperature.

I have provided the lower piers 82 in the fire-box 52 for the support of the section II, and for the support of the lead bath box '14 I have provided the piers 83 of which only two are shown, but as many may be utilized in the construction of the retort as are found necessary to properly construct it. The main supports for the pipes 40 is provided at their ends where they pass through the side walls.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4 it will be seen that the pipes 40 are cut into even lengths and closed at their ends by the removable screw plugs 84 which may be removed from the outside of the retort through recesses 17 for the purpose of cleaning out the pipes. The several lengths of pipe are connected together at alternate ends by the connections 85 which may be secured by any suitable means, preferably by welding. The connections 85 will be preferably enclosed within the walls 16.

The lengths of the pipe 40 are arranged in spaced horizontal rows which pass into and through the box 74, and are secured thereto by any suitable means, preferably welding. To secure the top 86 and the bottom 87 of the box 14 and maintain them in proper spaced relation I have provided the tubular rivets 88 which pass through openings 89 in both the top 86 and the bottom 81 of the box 14 and are headed over outside and then preferably welded. To space the top 86 from the bottom 81 and at the same time prevent direct contact between the metal holding the lead bath and the heat I have provided the section at C is. shown on the same plane as B but without the indication of fiuid.

The lead bath is indicated by the broken lines 9|, and to provide means to utilize theminimum of lead bath to surround the pipes 40 I have provided the triangular shaped pieces 92 forthe corners and the V-shaped pieces 93 which are .securedby welding to the top 86 and the bottom 8'! prior to the assembling of the box '14 in spaced parallel rows adapted to assume the positions between the rows of pipe as shown in Fig. 2.

By this means I provide that the minimum of lead be used in the bath consistent with maintaining the pipes 40 covered and the box 14 level full. The vents 15 may be arranged to suit, preferably using a plurality of vents with one vent between each pair of V pieces.

It is intended that the path of'the vapor flow through the pipes 40 be approximately 1000 feet long to provide that the passing vapors be exposed to the heat of the retort a sufficient length of time for the cracking process, which is cumulative, to take place. 7 a

As it would not be practical to arrange a heating furnace to accommodate over 350 feet of pipe in one row it is preferable that the box 14 be made of a size that will accommodate approximately 350 feet of pipe, and that additional retorts I2 be constructed side by side directly connected so that the full 1000 feet of travel length be provided for the vapors.

One unit only is shown in the drawings, as additional units would only be repetition. However, should it be desired to place more footage of pipe in each retort, such additional pipe can be so arranged as shown by the broken lines 94 in Fig. 2 which indicate that a duplicate of the box It and the pipes 40 can be placed directly below the unit shown and heated by the same furnace.

As the velocity of the vapor stream through the pipes 40 governs the length of exposure of the vapors to the heat of the retort it is essential that the speed of the vapor stream be controlled. I have provided that the vapor stream speed be controlled by the pressure at the still l acting with the vacuum created by the condenser It.

To balance the pressure and vacuum I have provided the controlling means comprising a control unit 95 connected with the pipe 2'! at the still, by pipe 06 and to the pipe 42 beyond the retort l2, by pipe 91, and by the pressures presented to the control unit 95 actuating a valve control device 98 which controls the valve 48 permitting a larger or smaller stream of water to flow into the condenser It, thus governing through temperature control, the speed of condensation of the vapors.

I have further provided a temperature indicator 99 so connected that it will indicate the temperature of the lead bath, and the pressure indicator I00 so connected to the pipe 40 within the retort l2 that it will indicate the vapor pressure with the pipe 40..

The arrows it! in Fig. 1 indicate the path of travel of the oil and vapors through theapparatus. ,The path of travel of the vapor stream through the pipes 40 is indicated by the arrows I02 in Fig. 4.

The retort I2 is provided with furnace doors I03 providing access to the fire-box 52, and with flue doors i0 3 providing access to the interior of the retort, each having insulation in the form of the asbestos slabs H15;

It is intended that the still 90 be operated at temperatures ranging from 200 to 750 degrees F. according to the character of the oil to be cracked; that the preheater have a stepped temperature ranging from 400 to 800 degrees F.; that the retort operate at a temperature of 200 degrees above the cracking temperature of the oil which would therefore be within a range of from 500 to .700 degrees F. above the temperature of the still for the particular oil that was beingtreated, said temperatures to be determined from the character of the oil being run.

The. velocity of travel of the vapor stream through the pipes of the retort is preferably maintained at approximately'800 feet per minute,.thus providing that in 1000 feet of retort pipe the vapors will be exposed to the heat of the retort longer than 60seconds. The pipe used is preferably of carbon steel as this provides a catalytic effect upon the vapors, and the pipe is preferably of four-inch diameter. The tortuous path of the pipes with their connections provides that every molecule of the vapors will come in direct contact with the heated pipe during their travel therethrough, and the lead bath ensures that even temperatures will be maintained in the pipes, and by preventing actual contact between the fire or heat and the pipes local overheating is entirely eliminated.

Thus it will be'seen that I have provided by the herein described apparatus a means for treating hydrocarbon vapors with heat by passing said vapors through heat zone, and wherein the velocity of travel of the vapors is controlled automatically wherein the temperature of the heat to which the vapors are exposed is controlled automatically, the pressure is also automatically controlled and kept approximately at atmospheric pressure in the retort pipes, and the vapor enclosing pipes prevented from coming into direct contact with the raw heat or flame by means of a heat absorbing and diffusing means comprising the recited lead bath, thereby producing a result ant product in which the benzol equivalent is increased from 25 to 65%, and the octane rating an equivalent amount.

Certain modifications may present themselves to one versed in the art and such modifications may well be made Without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A refining apparatus comprising a retort in-- cluding a box to hold a molten metal, retort pipes for vapor immersed in said metal in said box, hollow spacers space relating the top and the bottom of said box, V-shaped elements running parallel to said pipes secured to the top and the bottom of said box to make said box require less metal to immerse said pipes, and vent pipes over each pipe passing through the top of said box.

2. A refining apparatus comprising a retort including a box to hold molten metal, retort pipes for vapor immersed in the metal in said box, hollow spacers space relating the top and the bottom of said box, hollow rivets for securing together the top and the bottom of said box, triangular shaped members running parallel to said pipes in the end, top and bottom of said box, V- shaped members running parallel to said pipes secured to the top and bottom of said'box between said pipes to take less metal to immerse said pipes and to surround said pipes with a nearly equal amount of said metal, and vents over the pipes between the said V-shaped members.

3. A refining apparatus including V-shaped members secured to the top and bottom of a molten metal bath box having pipes immersed in the bath, said members running parallel with the pipes and set between the pipes so that less metal is required to immerse the pipes and thereby surrounding the pipes with a more nearly equal thickness of the molten metal, and hollow separators space separating the top and the bottom of the box and extending from the top to the bottom through the said V-shaped members.

4. A refining apparatus including a lead bat-h, retort pipes immersed in said bath, a box for said bath, a top, bottom, sides and ends for said box, vents in the top of said box, hollow spacers space relating said top from said bottom of the said box, and hollow rivets passing through said bottom, said spacers, and said top to secure said top to said bottom.

5. A refining apparatus including a heat treatment pipe retort immersed in a molten bath, a box for the bath, space reducing V-shaped members running parallel with and between the pipes spacers secured to the top and the bottom of the box, and passing through said V-shaped members, hollow rivets passing through said spacers securing the top and bottom of the box together, and vents between the V-shaped members.

6. A refining apparatus including a heat treating pipe immersed in a molten bath enclosed in a box, hollow spacers space relating the top and the bottom of the box, hollow rivets passing through said spacers and through the top and the bottom of the box and securing together the top and bottom, triangular shaped members running parallel to the pipes in the sides, top and bottom of the box, V-shaped members running parallel to the pipes secured to the top and bottom of the box between the pipes, and vents over the pipes between the V-shaped members.

DANIEL W. HOGE. 

